All Chapters of One Night Stand with My Brother's Best Friend: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Carissa's POV I got up fast and opened the door. Raihan was there in a black shirt and grey pants, his hair a bit messy, his face hard to read—like always. “Can I come in?” I bobbed my head and moved out of the way. He came in and sat on a chair by the window, c͏rossed his legs, and leaned back like a person who just got enough energy to be… brother again. "You look... strange," I said, trying to make the mood better. "What do you mean?" he asked, still not looking at me. "Most times you ask me about Dylan or tell me not to trust him so easily." Raihan let out a breath. “I heard your sounds before. From the kitchen. I know he walked in by the side door.” I rolled my eyes. “I didn’t ask him into a house, you know” “You asked him to come into the

Carissa's POV Raihan’s talk made my throat feel tight. “You know I… fell apart from something like that.” “You're unique, Carissa. Tougher than you know. You just cover your hurts too much with a grin.” I looked away. Chatting about the past often seemed like stepping into water that was too deep. But Raihan—both as a brother and friend—always gave me the safe space to breathe, “I want to ask you a thing,” I said at last. “Do you think Dylan’s the right guy?” Raihan stared at me for a long time. “I’ve known him for over five years. We’ve worked together, fought, let down each other. But Dylan, he's always the first to come when I fall.” “And do you believe he can make me happy?” He made a little grin. “That’s for you to c

Dylan’s POV My hand went to her icy face. “Why didn’t you ring me soon?” "I didn’t want you to freak out. He did nothing. Raihan got home just after." I took a big breath, trying to hold my hot feelings back. “Carissa, from now on you have to tell me all things. No matter what it is I’m not just your fiancé—I want to be a safe place for you.” Carissa looked up, her bright eyes hit mine. “I know but sometimes I'm afraid, Dylan. Afraid I’ll be a weight... afraid you’ll change your mind” I stayed quiet for a second. Then I grabbed her in a hug. "No Carissa, I won't change my mind. Even if the world says we’re wrong, I still choose you." Her hands held the back of my shirt strong like she wanted to be sure I was truly there. Her tears dropped on my shoulder sof

Dylan’s POV That night, I sat by myself on the porch, looking at the sky as shadows slowly took in the light. Only the far-off shine of street lights stayed, while my head was full of ideas about Carissa. Her final words still rang in my ears—her worries, her fears about our past and how she couldn't fully look to the future without fixing what was behind her. I thought I was grown up enough to deal with all of this easily. But the truth was, my heart wasn’t as tough as I thought. “Idiot,” I muttered, gently tapping my forehead. Carissa wasn’t only a familiar face from my past. She was a change. A woman who, out of the blue, pushed me to reveal, to show the hurts I had kept covered for so long. And now; I wasn't sure if I was bold enough to remain. A light tap on the balcony door took me away from my thoughts. “Dylan,”

Carissa's POV I sat on the side of bed, hands holding a cup of jasmine tea that had gone cold. The morning air was soft, covering my roo͏m in silence that felt either nice or strangely tight. Through the little opened window, sunlight came in brushing over the wood floor and pale cream curtains that moved gently. There was kind of empty peace. Tomorrow, or maybe the next day—or another day I can’t really say yet... I would get married. To Dylan. His name now seemed both strange and known at the same time I used to say it with anger, eyes bright, always trying to beat Now I said it quietly under my breath slow As if saying it too loud would break this truth, and I'd be sent back into those times when we hurt one another waited for one another without ever truly getting there Mom tapped two times before coming in without waiting for an answer. She held a little plate of whole grain toast I’d